In the thriller “Flight Risk,” a pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive/informant to trial.
As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is needed, as not everyone on board is who they seem.
When I first saw the trailer for “Flight Risk,” I had a feeling this movie would be some high octane, dumb fun (almost like how some action thrillers were in the ‘80s and ‘90s). And, sometimes 90 minutes of dumb thrilling fun on the big screen is all you need. Now, even though there are times where the movie can get a little exciting, the thrills can be very lacking.
Mark Wahlberg can be a little over the top at times as the pilot/hitman (we actually never find out his real name). But, it’s one of those movies where an over the top bad guy can make this movie fun. During the first part of the movie, Wahlberg helps bring a bit of intensity to the movie as it’s revealed that he’s a hitman (not a spoiler, it was revealed in its trailer).
There are quite a few scenes where the US Marshal and the informant/fugitive get the upper hand and knock the hit man/pilot out. And that’s where the movie can get a little bland as they try to get in contact with someone to help them eventually land the plane.
Another aspect that can also slow everything down a bit is when they do get through to some help. Some of those moments should be a little exciting and thrilling, but they’re not. When they do find help, the voices of the help (a fellow pilot and a couple of government officials) don't really add to the tense excitement. I honestly think that the voice “performances” of the help can be quite bland and lack the tension building moments that those scenes should be.
So, overall, “Flight Risk” can be a little exciting at times, especially once the hitman is revealed and a few fights do ensue. Wahlberg’s performance can also be the main highlight of this action-thriller and his baldness in this movie can even get a little distracting and a little funny.
Cast: Michelle Dockery (Madolyn Harris); Mark Wahlberg (The Pilot); Topher Grace (Winston); Leah Remini (Caroline Van Sant); Paul Ben-Victor (Director Coleridge); Maaz Ali (Hasan)
Writer/director: Jared Rosenberg (writer); Mel Gibson (director) (Hacksaw Ridge; Apocalpyto; Passion of the Christ; Braveheart)
Trivia: In December 2020, Jared Rosenberg’s screenplay for “Flight Risk” was voted onto the year’s “Black List” of the most-liked unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Wahlberg partially shaved his head each day while filming for his role instead of wearing a bald cap.
MPAA: R for violence and language (running time 91 minutes)
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